Abbott released its fifth annual Global Citizenship Report, "Changing Lives." The company outlines its commitment to advance corporate citizenship and provides information on its economic, social and environmental performance. Described in the report is Abbott's progress on addressing priority issues, most notably the company's approach to improving access to medicines. Additionally, Abbott features its global citizenship strategy and programs and performance in key functional areas, such as ethics and compliance, environment, health and safety, human resources, and global philanthropy. Abbott's 2005 highlights include:

• Investing $1.8 billion in research and development of new medical technologies

• Investing more than $340 million in total philanthropic investment through the Abbott Fund, corporate philanthropy, patient assistance programs, humanitarian relief, and AIDS-related programs

• Opening a new outpatient center and laboratory at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania

• Providing more than 240,000 low-income and uninsured U.S. patients with Abbott medicines, nutritionals and medical devices

• Training 29,000 employees in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in ethics and compliance practices

• Providing greater access to safe drinking water for a town in Vietnam

• Increasing the number of women in management roles at Abbott sites around the world

"Abbott's work in the area of global citizenship reflects how our company advances business objectives, implements policies, and exercises our influence to make a productive contribution to society," said Reeta Roy, divisional vice president, global citizenship and policy.

To view an online version of Abbott's 2005 Global Citizenship Report, please click here.

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About Abbott and the Abbott Fund

The Abbott Fund is a philanthropic foundation established by Abbott in 1951. The Abbott Fund's mission is to create healthier global communities by investing in creative ideas that promote science, expand access to health care and strengthen communities worldwide. For more information, visit www.abbottfund.org.

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs nearly 90,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's website at www.abbott.com.

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